Decrees enforced through barbarism and brute force held a terrifying deterrent power within the Beastkin Empire.
The Nien trade caravan had been smoothly offloading most of its cargo along the way, exchanging a portion of its iron, grain, refined weapons, and magical items for large quantities of precious metal currency and even numerous products unique to the northern lands—all at a cost so low it was almost unbelievable.
For the Beastkin, being able to trade those rock-like things for useful goods like weapons, grain, and cloth was an enormous bargain.
Under these amicable conditions, the Nien trade caravan finally arrived at their destination—the Dark Forest.
This was the territory of the Beastkin Black Blood Tribe, and also the place where Leilin had fought and struggled on multiple occasions. The Nien Commerce Association had previously drawn the wrath of the Paladins precisely because of its dark trade with the Beastkin.
However, after receiving the mandate of the Serpent Church, they had continued the transaction regardless.
At the same time, another group had also entered the Dark Forest.
"The Northern Border... the Dark Forest... the Black Blood Tribe... I've returned once more..."
A group of grey-robed figures moved swiftly through the bizarre branches and obstacles, the robes lifted by a gentle breeze occasionally revealing flashes of a silver sheen.
Their leader gazed upon the sight of the Dark Forest and fell into a brief trance, then removed her hood to reveal the true face of a young female knight.
"Perhaps it's not where everything began, but it's where the most blood was spilled. As a place for everything to end, it seems rather fitting!"
Rafinia murmured to herself.
"Holy Paladin Captain, have you lost your way?"
A grey-robed figure beside her stopped, revealing the same benevolent and compassionate face of Cardinal Kahlar.
"No! Cardinal Kahlar!"
Rafinia shook her head. "I was simply stationed here for a long time on a previous mission, and I'm feeling a bit sentimental..."
"You're very familiar with the terrain and conditions here—this is our advantage, and we must make use of it!"
Cardinal Kahlar traced a holy sign across his chest. "This time, we received intelligence that the depraved Nien Commerce Association will be meeting with the Beastkin of the Black Blood Tribe here, providing them with materials for their Blood Sacrifice rituals..."
"Those soul-damned merchants who deserve to rot in hell!"
Rafinia gnashed her teeth, the back of her hand gripping her sword hilt already surging with a terrifying Battle Aura.
The thought of them using the flesh and souls of innocent humans to craft Blood Essence, all to please an evil god, made Rafinia feel as though a terrible flame had been stuffed into her chest—nearly ready to erupt.
"In the name of justice, I shall cleanse all evil and sin!"
Rafinia swore solemnly. Behind her, the high-ranking Paladins followed in recitation, their faces aglow with a faint white light, appearing absolutely holy.
...
"It's been a long time, Priest Gara, my friend..."
After entering the Dark Forest, the Nien trade caravan soon encountered a group of Beastkin, but they clearly had extensive experience dealing with them. Even the Beastkin squad leader recognized their identity.
After presenting their token, the Nien caravan was quickly brought to the heart of the Dark Forest, where the Black Blood Tribe resided. A Beastkin priest—slenderer than the average Beastkin and adorned with numerous strange ornaments—received them.
"I seem to detect a different scent on you than before..."
Priest Gara stretched out his nose and sniffed repeatedly at Fikes, making
"Ha ha... my friend, what exactly are you talking about? Oh... perhaps it was that wretched cook of mine who put too many onions in the soup this morning..."
Fikes paused for a moment, then answered with remarkable composure, his expression perfectly natural—a display that left Anya feeling inadequate by comparison.
"Perhaps..." Gara didn't seem to dwell on the matter and began leading the way. "You're late... my friend, you nearly made us miss this ceremony. If that had caused the deity to unleash its wrath, your head would be hanging from a tree branch to dry in the wind, I swear!"
The Beastkin priest opened his mouth, revealing a terrifying maw lined with sharp fangs, a barbed tongue, and a nauseating stench along with bits of flesh clinging to it—all of which nearly made Anya vomit.
"You know how it is..."
Fikes immediately launched into a litany of complaints. "The garrison in Silver Moon City has been replaced by a whole contingent of Paladins. Not just our commerce association—everyone else has been subjected to their ruthless exploitation and oppression as well. To avoid missing this deal... I've already paid far too much in Silver Moon City."
"Indeed! The scale of this year's trade caravans has been reduced. I hear your Queen has been ruthlessly squeezing the merchants under her rule to fund the next war..."
Priest Gara nodded, apparently concurring with Fikes's account.
Then he threw an arm around Fikes's shoulder in a friendly manner, his enormous frame creating a stark and dramatic contrast with Fikes's trembling, slender figure.
"We won't let any of our friends come away shortchanged! I guarantee it!"
The priest thumped his chest loudly. If Anya hadn't witnessed the ferocity of the Beastkin during their "hunts" and "rituals," she might have mistaken him for one of those simple-minded Beastkin like Bige.
"Come! Let me see what you've brought this time!"
After the pleasantries, Gara quickly got down to business.
"No problem, my friend. I've been preparing for this trade for quite some time..." Fikes said with a smile, clapping his hands. Over a dozen servants immediately stepped forward carrying heavy crates.
After unlocking the massive bronze padlocks, the contents were revealed beneath layers of thick silk—elven craftsmanship that gleamed with exquisite luster, though it served merely as padding and shock absorption.
Fikes carefully unwrapped layer after layer of silk before reverently opening the small box inside.
Encased in red wood patterned like blood vessels, the Blood Essence radiated a soul-captivating glow. A rich, bloody scent surged forth, making Anya frown.
"This is it... this scent..."
In contrast, the Beastkin priest drew a deep, intoxicated breath, a flush rising to his face. "I can assure you, this is the finest quality!"
"Of course! You have no idea what I went through to obtain these..."
Fikes immediately launched into an enthusiastic sales pitch, but Gara waved him off impatiently.
"I know what you want, my friend!"
At the priest's direction, two Beastkin carried over a crate and set it before Fikes.
The somewhat worn wooden crate was far less impressive than the goods Fikes had brought, but the moment it was opened, the radiance inside blinded Anya in an instant.
Gold, silver, red, green—the glow of countless precious metals and gemstones radiated a unique and mesmerizing beauty.
This yearning and obsession with wealth was the strongest driving force that made human adventurers and merchants fearlessly risk their deaths!
"Well? Satisfied?"
The Beastkin laughed heartily as they watched Fikes practically throw himself upon the fortune—a crate brimming with gold coins and numerous precious trinkets. Although many were deformed from rough handling and some still bore stains of blood, one could well imagine the Beastkin's "procurement" methods and the tragic fate of their original owners. But by the Goddess of Wealth, what merchant would care about that?
"More than enough! More than enough! Oh! Priest Gara, your generosity and magnanimity are as vast as the ocean and as lofty as the mountains, surpassing the very beauty of the stars in the heavens!"
Fikes was practically babbling at this point.
"As long as you're pleased. As long as you bring us more weapons, magical items, and most importantly, sacrificial offerings next time, there will be as many of these as you want..."
Under Gara's supervision, the two sides completed the trade swiftly. Then the half-beastkin priest personally escorted Fikes to the edge of the Dark Forest.
"You know... our Black Blood Tribe never allows outsiders to witness our rituals, unless they are offerings to our deity..."
Gara let out a dark chuckle.
"Of course, I understand! I understand! I'll be leaving right now!" Fikes dabbed the oily sweat from his cheeks with a white handkerchief.
The Beastkin priest stood at the forest's edge, watching the Nien caravan disappear into the horizon, a meaningful smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
...
"Once we reach here, we should be out of Beastkin territory..."
Anya gazed at the forest vanishing on the distant horizon, then rode over to Rens and the indigenous servant.
"My lord, are we really just going to leave like this?"
"Of course. What remains is the Church's business. Our deity never fails to reward those who believe in him. That wealth is yours!"
The indigenous servant spoke in somewhat stilted Continental Common Tongue, and as he did, a strange transformation began to take place on his body.
After a flash of light, a watery membrane peeled away from him, revealing his true identity—he was, in fact, a legendary-rank Demon Hunter!
"Wait... I'm willing to donate half of my share from this deal to the Church!"
Fikes hurried forward to say.
What he had expected to be a life-threatening endeavor had proceeded with surprising smoothness, filling him with an almost overwhelming sense of joy.
Moreover, even after giving half to the Church, what remained—after covering costs and other expenses—was still a tremendous profit!
"Thank you for your generosity!"
The Demon Hunter accepted Fikes's donation without hesitation. For the development of any Church, accepting offerings from believers was essential.
The Goddess of Wealth even used such contributions as a key metric for evaluating the performance of her Wealth Clerics, and this practice had been widely adopted.
Though Leilin's resources were substantial, the Serpent Church was still in its early stages of development and naturally would not refuse such donations.
"A final word of advice... war and conflict are about to erupt here. Leave as soon as you can!"
The Demon Hunter said to Fikes before departing with his subordinates.
Fikes stood stunned for a moment, and only after watching the Demon Hunter and Rens's figures disappear did he suddenly roar: "Abandon all heavy supplies! Take only gold coins and food, and let's get out of here!!!"
His desperate cry echoed across the empty plains, thick with urgency.